Golf game

ABSTRACT

Golfing lanes constructed and equipped for the playing of a golf game which lends itself to a handicap system whereby players of varying abilities can compete on a handicap adjusted scoring basis. Each lane has a golf tee disposed at one end, an upright target disposed at the opposite end for segregating balls on a directional accuracy basis, a ball receiver for receiving and classifying balls gravitating from the upright target, and ball confining members disposed with respect to the golfing lanes for preventing ball cross-fire into adjacent targets. The upright target has ball-to-target impact sensing devices functionally associated with control apparatus for providing ball momentum classification. Since the mass of a golf ball is constant, ball momentum is representative of ball velocity or the time required for the ball to travel the fixed distance between the tee and target. The apparatus for determining ball momentum may include such components as an acoustic sensing unit, one or more inertia switches, a time sequence programmer, an operatively associated pulser, relays and a counter. Scoring of each ball hit is provided by combining numerical representations of a directional accuracy factor and a ball momentum factor. For playing the game, each player hits a predetermined number of balls with both wood and iron clubs in a prearranged sequence into the vertical target. This game can be extended to include also floor targets which can be disposed forward of each vertical target. For scoring purposes, these floor targets with associated controls have apparatus for classifying and providing a numerical representation of all balls hit therein with short range irons. Game scoring is devised to place a premium on directional accuracy with the ball momentum factor associated with balls hit to said vertical target included merely to more thoroughly scruntinize each golf shot and add a challenging distinctive quality to the game. Scores of each shot taken are displayed on a counter situated on a score table located at each golf tee area.

United States Patent [1 1 Gentiluomo Jan. 8, 1974 GOLF GAME Joseph A.Gentiluomo, 1456 Belmont Ave., Schenectady, N.Y. 12308 [22] Filed: Dec.6, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 204,890

[76] Inventor:

[52] US. CL... 273/176 A, 273/176 FA, 273/185 R, 273/181 H, 324/189,340/16 R, 73/13,

Primary Examiner-George J. Marlo [57] ABSTRACT Golfing lanes constructedand equipped for the playing of a golf game which lends itself to ahandicap system whereby players of varying abilities can compete on ahandicap adjusted scoring basis. Each lane has a golf tee disposed atone end, an upright target disposed at the opposite end for segregatingballs on a directional accuracy basis, a ball receiver for receiving andclassifying balls gravitating from the upright target, and ballconfining members disposed with respect to the golfing lanes forpreventing ball cross-fire into adjacent targets. The upright target hasball-to-target impact sensing devices functionally associated withcontrol apparatus for providing ball momentum classification. Since themass of a golf ball is constant, ball momentum is representative of ballvelocity or the time required for the ball to travel the fixed distancebetween the tee and target. The apparatus for determining ball momentummay include such components as an acoustic sensing unit, one or moreinertia switches, a time sequence programmer, an operatively associatedpulser, relays and a counter. Scoring of each ball hit is provided bycombining numerical representations of a directional accuracy factor anda ball momentum factor. For playing the game, each player hits apredetermined number of balls with both wood and iron clubs in aprearranged sequence into the vertical target. This game can be extendedto include also floor targets which can be disposed forward of eachvertical target. For scoring purposes, these floor targets withassociated controls have apparatus for classifying and providing anumerical representation of all balls hit therein with short rangeirons. Game scoring is devised to place a premium on directionalaccuracy with the ball momentum factor associated with balls hit to saidvertical target included merely to more thoroughly scruntinize each golfshot and add a challenging distinctive quality to the game. Scores ofeach shot taken are displayed on a counter situated on a score tablelocated at each golf tee area.

17 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures l3 l6 l,/'

19 1 21 22. l z l l0 17 43\ 20 I I2 PATENTEU JAN 81974 sum 1 UP 3 JOSEPHA. GENTILUOMO BY %0 GOLF GAME Presently lacking are golfing facilitieswhich place emphasis on golfing accuracy. Therefore, the aim of thisinvention is to provide golfers with a golf facility that will aid indeveloping golfing accuracy.

Accordingly, other objects of this invention are as follows:

To provide a golf game facility adaptable for use either indoors oroutdoors.

To provide a golf game facility which can be installed in a building toprovide year-round recreation.

To provide a golf game facility which lends itself to the playing ofavariety of competitive type golf games.

To provide a golf game facility that can be used also as a golf range.

To provide means for competitive type golf games which utilize wood,long iron, medium iron, and short iron clubs. I

To provide means for competitive type golf games adaptable to a gamerating such as mens and women's par, so that golfer handicaps can beestablished.

To provide means for competitive type golf games adaptable to league andtournament play.

To provide means for competitive type golf games which can be scored onthe basis of directional accuracy, ball momentum, or both directionalaccuracy and ball momentum.

To provide a golf game facility having means for providing the score ofevery shot hit from the golf ball tee.

To provide a game scoring system that can be adapted with a scoreprojection unit to display player scoring for spectator viewing.

These objects and other objects of this invention should be discernedand appreciated from the description and claims taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows the plan view of a typical golfing facility.

FIG. 2 shows an elevation view of FIG. 1 with nets partly cut away. I

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged plan view of a typical floor target.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged elevation view, in section, taken on line 33 ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged side elevation view ofa typical vertical targetand ball receiver arrangement with side of said ball receiver partly cutaway.

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged plan view of the ball receiver.

FIG. 7 depicts a functional schematic block diagram of the controlcircuitry utilized in the invention.

In explaining the invention in detail, it can be discerned that thisinvention is capable of many embodiments of which the preferred isherein described and illustrated in the associated drawings.

In order to utilize the disclosed golf game facility, it is apparentthat a supply of golf balls and standard commercially available golfclubs are required.

FIG. 1 shows a multiple set-up featuring a plurality of individual gamefacilities, adjacently placed, for the playing of golf games. Eachfacility consists essentially if required, the player can hit aplurality of pitch or chip shots toward a floor target with a shortrange iron club. Competing players can hit said balls in a variety ofpredetermined sequence arrangements, according to preference, to favoreither medal or match play.

The vertical and floor targets will have both center and off-centerareas. For accuracy scoring, balls hit into the center zone can beaccorded a score of one, balls hit into the off-center zones can beaccorded a score of two, and all other stroked balls can be accorded ascore of three. In essence, balls hit into the center of the verticaltarget represents a ball hit straight down the fairway. Balls hit eitherto the right or left in the off-center portions of said target willrepresent balls that have been either sliced, hooked, pushed, or pulled.The floor target represents a green toward which players can pitch orchip balls with the intent of coming as close to the flagstick aspossible. Balls hit into the center portion will indicate a very' goodshot to the green. Balls hit into the off-center portion will indicatethat the player has hit within the perimeter of the green. Balls nothitting into either of said target areas indicate that the player hasmissed the green and has hit an undesirable shot which will usually leadto trouble on most golf courses.

In order to make the game more challenging, a ball momentum factor canbe applied to all balls hitting the vertical target, and therefore,scoring can be extended to include also said momentum factor inconjunction with the directional accuracy factor. Each ball hit intosaid vertical target can be more thoroughly scrutinized to justly rewardthe player capable of hitting the ball with the directional accuracy andmomentum prevalent in properly executed shots. For example, a ball hitwith more impact or momentum into a certain zone of said target shouldbe scored as a better shot than a ball that is meekly hit into saidzone. Directional accuracy is based on which discrete zone of aplurality of target zones was hit by a ball propelled from the golf balltee by a player.

Since ball momentum is dependent on the velocity at which the ballleaves the golf club head or the average velocity of said ball inflight, such trajectory parameters as distance from the golf ball tee tosaid target and the time required for said ball to travel said distancecould be utilized for numerical classification exemplifying said ballmomentum representation. As can be discerned, said ball momentumdesignation can therefore be represented by the time required for theball to travel from said tee to said target. For a tee-to-targetdistance of 50 feet, the following typical scoring system could beutilized to represent ball momentum.

Momentum Momentum Parameters Factor Score Average Vel.(ft/sec) Time(sec) 1 m to 200 0 to 0.250 2 200 10 I 0.250*to 0.278 3 ISO to I60 0.278to 0.312 4 I60to 0.3I2*to 0.357 5 l40'to I20 0.35710 0.417 6 l20'to I000.4l7to 0.500 7 IOOto 80 0.500to 0.625 8 80'to 60 0.625to 0.833 9 60'to40 0.83310 L250 I0 4010 0 L250 to Ball momentum is defined as theproduct of ball mass and its velocity. Since ball mass is constant, saidmomentum can be represented by velocity or the time required for saidball to travel the fixed distance between said tee and target.

The score accorded each shot to the vertical target will consist of amomentum factor score plus a directional accuracy factor score. Thefollwoing examples will demonstrate the scoring procedure.

A ball hit by an average male golfer with a driver into the centerportion of the target will probably hit said target at an averagevelocity of 200 feet per second or within a time of 0.250 seconds, andtherefore said shot will be scored as l l or 2. When hit in the samezone with an avenge sb ity o 1 e t persssa or within a time of 0.417seconds, the score will be l or 6. When hit in either of the off-centerzones with an average velocity of I40 feet per second or within a timeof 0.357 seconds, the score will be 4 2 or 6.

A ball hit by an average male golfer with a five-iron into the center ofthe target will probably hit said target at an average velocity of 150feet per second or within a time of 0.333 seconds, and therefore saidshot will be scored as 4 +1 or 5.

A ball hit by an average male golfer with a seven-iron into theoff-center portion of the target will probably hit said target at anaverage velocity of 140 feet per second or within a time of 0.357seconds, and therefore said shot will be scored as 4 2 or 6.

A ball hit by an average male golfer with a nine-iron into theoff-center portion of the target will probably hit said target at anaverage velocity of 130 feet per second or within a time of 0.385seconds, and therefore said shot will be scored as 5 2 or 7.

All balls not hitting said vertical target will be scored as 3 or l3,therefore, definitely placing a premium on directional accuracy. Bycompletely missing said target, the golfer is penalized for poorperformance by an assessment of zero velocity or infinitely greattee-totarget time for the shot, thereby, subject to an automaticimposition of a momentum factor score of 10 plus a directional accuracyfactor score of 3 for a composite score of 13.

It is to be discerned that the above cited composite scores can bedisplayed on a counter situated at a score table located adjacent toeach golf tee. Said scores can in turn be recorded by players onto ascore sheet positioned on said score table. A score projector unitattached to said table can then be used to project said scores from saidscore sheet onto a screen for spectator viewing.

The invention referred to as l in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a pluralityof conventional type golf tees 10, 10 with either manual or automaticteeing. Each golf tee I0 is fixedly positioned intermediate boundarylines 11, 11 and to surface of ground floor 12. The ball confining meanssuch as caged golf lanes consist of nets 13, 13 suspended from cablesl4, 14 which are fixedly mounted between tops of substantially verticalposts l5, l5 and 16, 16. Said posts l5, l5 and l6, 16 are fixedlyanchored with respect to ground floor 12 and in line with substantiallyparallel boundary lines 11, 11. Also, bottoms of said nets 13, 13 arefastened to cables l7, 17 which are fixedly suspended between said postsl5, l5 and 16, 16.

At a fixed distance from golf tees 10, 10 between nets l3. 13 ofplurality of golflanes 18, 18, are substantially vertical targets l9, l9and ball receivers 20, 20. The upright targets 19, 19 consist of targetbackstops 21, 21 and upright baffles 22, 22. Said baffles are disposedvertically with their planes oriented substantially perpendicular withrespect to said target backstops 21, 21 to establish center andoff-center target areas. Therefore, adjacent to all center target areas,both to the right and to the left, will be what is known as theoffcenter targetareas. Center and off-center areas of said discretevertical targets l9, 19 are coextensive with center and off-centersections of said in-line discrete ball receivers 20, 20. The pluralityof vertically suspended baffles 22, 22 are tautly and fixedly mountedbetween overhang supports 25, 25 and top edges of side pieces 26, 26 andpartitions 27, 27 of said ball receiver as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Thesaid baffles 22, 22 are fabricated from a material such as reinforcedplastic sheet. Said overhang supports 25, 25 are disposed in sets offour directly over and in vertical alingment with the side pieces 26, 26and partitions 27, 27 of all ball receivers 20, 20. All overhangsupports 25, 25 are fixedly mounted to structural tie means 41 which isfixedly mounted with respect to the tops of posts 15, 15. The targetbackstops 21, 21 are fabricated from a material such as reinforcedplastic sheet and are securely fastened by conventional means betweencable 23 and the top of rear pieces 24, 24 of said ball receivers 20,20. Cable 23 is fixedly mounted'between tops of posts 15, 15 transverseto the direction of cables 14, 14 and substantially perpendicular. Thereare four baffles per vertical targets 19, 19 and all are suspended andproperly secured in close proximity with respect to backstops 21, 21.Said backstops 21, 21 contain a plurality of ball-to-target impactsensing means such as inertia switches strategically and properlymounted thereupon for detecting ball impact regardless of where ballshit said targets. Said inertia switches will be electricallyinterconnected in parallel so that actuation of any one or any number ofthem will operate to convey a signal for control purposes. The terminertia switch, acceleration switch, and G-switch are used synonymouslyin the art to refer to an acceleration sensitive device.

Ball receivers 20, 20 are fixedly mounted to ground floor 12 betweenposts 15, 15 of golf lanes 18, 18 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 By referringto FIGS. 5 and 6 it can be discerned that said ball receivers 20, 20resemble rectangular structures with open tops to serve as ballentrances. Internally, each ball receiver 20 is divided into threesections by partitions 27, 27 which are fixedly mounted in asubstantially vertical manner and extending from top of said rectangularlike structure to inclined ramp 40. The center section lies betweenpartitions 27, 27 and the off-center sections lie between saidpartitions and side piece 26. Center chute 28 is fixedly mounted betweenpartitions 27, 27 and inclined downwardly toward front mask 29. Also,said chute 28 is of such size as to provide opening 30 for passage ofgolf balls. Fixedly mounted to sides of partitions 27, 27 is a balldetection means such as photoelectric components 31 and 32 which aredisposed to detect the passage of balls through said opening 30 by useof light rays 33. The off center ball receiver sections contain chutes34, 34 which slope downwardly toward rear piece 24 of said ball receiver20. Said chutes 34, 34 are of such size as to allow passage of golfballs through openings 35, 35. Fixedly mounted to side pieces 26, 26 isa ball detection means such as photoelectric unit components 36 and 37which utilizes light rays 38 underneath openings 35, 35 to detect ballspassing through said openings. Undereneath chutes 28 and 34 is aninclined ramp 40 which compels balls to discharge out from within theball receiver through opening 39 located at the bottom of front mask 29.

Floor targets 43, 43 are fixedly mounted with respect to ground floor 12within lanes 18, 18 and disposed in front of said ball receivers 20, 20.Said floor targets are constructed of two upright annulus ring walls 44and 45 and made of a material such as plastic. The cited annulus ringsare maintained in place with respect to each otherby the annulus cushion47 which is tightly fitted between said annulus walls as shown in FIGS.3 and 4. Within the center annulus ring 45 is a tightly inserted disctype cushion 46 containing a centrally positioned insert 48 fixedlyassociated with respect to said cushion for the purpose of supportingflagstick 49 in a substantially vertical manner. Cushions 46 and 47 arefabricated from a material such as flexible foam plastic with a sheetcovering of a material such as flexible'plastic covered cloth. Saidcushions 46 and 47 are fabricated with an inclined top surface '50 toallow balls hit into said target to roll out through the openings 51 and52 located in annulus walls 44 and 45. It should be discerned that ifsaid floor 12 is inclined, said surface of cushions 46 and 47 need notbe fabricated with said inclined top surface. Openings 51 and 52 arepositioned at the lowest point of inclination of both cushions 46 and 47and are of such size as to allow balls to roll freely through. Balldetection means such as photoelectric unit components 53 and 54 arefixedly mounted on wall of outer annulus ring 44 and positioned adjacentto opening 51 as shown in FIG. 3. This arrangement will allow light rays55 to project horizontally across opening 51 for the purpose ofdetecting the passage of balls. Also, ball detection means such asphotoelectric unit components 56 and 57 are fixedly mounted on wall ofinner annulus ring 45 and positioned with respect to opening 52 so thatlight rays 58 will project horizontally across said opening 52.

If the game facility is not automated, a player or scorer must observethe trajectory of every ball hit toward the targets, in order to recordthe established target score. If the game facility is automated, it isnot essential to observe the ball trajectory. Detection means areprovided to assist in the scoring of each shot. Balls hit into theupright target 19 are classified after falling downwardly, within theconfinemenets of the backstop 21 and baffles 22, into the varioussections or compartments within the ball receiver 20. The function ofthe backstop 21 is to dampen the impact of the propelled balls so thatrebound will be negligible. The upright baffles 22 are intended todefine the target areas and aid in segregating balls propelled withinthe said target areas. Also, nets l3, 13 are used to prevent propelledball cross-fire into unauthorized targets, when a I plurality of golflanes are utilized. Balls hit into the center target area will drop intothe center compartment of the said ball receiver. in so doing, the ballwill roll down center chute 28 and through opening where the light rays33 are broken thus classifying the ball and indicating a directionalaccuracy score of one. Balls hit within either the right or leftoff-center areas of target 19 will drop into the right or leftcompartment respectively. In so doing, the ball will roll down chute 34and through opening to break the light rays 38 thus classifying the balland indicating a directional accuracy score of two. Balls leavingopenings 30 and 35 will drop down onto inclined ramp 40 and dischargedout of sadi ball receiver 20 through opening 39.

Balls propelled within the floor target 43 are classi tied directly inthe following manner. If the ball hits within the target area of cushion46, the ball will roll downward and through opening 52. in so doing, theball breaks the light rays 58 thus classifying the ball'as having hitthe center portion of the target and therefore an accuracy score of onewill be alloted. If the ball hits within target area of cushion 47 theball will roll downwardly within the annulus cushion and emerge throughopening 51. In so doing, the ball breaks the light rays 55 thusclassifying the ball as having hit within the offcenter target area andan accuracy score of two will be indicated. If the ball misses target 43completely an accuracy score of three will be alloted. The primefunction of the said cushions 46 and 47 is to act as damping means toprevent balls propelled into said floor targets from rebounding out.

With reference to the block diagram of FIG. 7, the photoelectric andacoustic sensing systems, the counter, the control relays, the latchrelays, the inertia switches, the time delay, the pulsers, the timesequence programmer, and the DC. power supply are standard commerciallyavailable components. Said cited components can be substituted for byequivalent devices classified as fluidic, electronic, electromechanical,etc. to yield a control system equivalent to that depicted and describedherein.

The time sequence programmer or time sequence signal producing means forproducing time sequenced signals is to be construed as a timing devicewhich upon receiving an initiating signal operates to provide aplurality of sequentially timed output control pulses.

The pulser or pulsing means for providing a preset number of pulses isto be construed as a device which upon receiving an input start signalprovides a preset number of output control pulses.

Sensing means for initiating the time sequence signal producing means isto be construed as acoustic or ultrasonic sensing units, photoelectricsensing units, inertia switches, etc.

Acoustic sensing unit consists of the acoustic transducer and theacoustic controls.

Photoelectric sensing unit consists of the light source, photo sensor,and photoelectric control.

Sensing means for terminating the time sequence signal producing meansis to be construed as inertia switches, ultrasonic sensing units,photoelectric sensing units, acoustic sensing units, etc.

Ball momentum determining and indicating means is to be construed as anymeans functional in providing a numerical representation of ballmomentum. One possible means, as herein disclosed, includes the use of atime sequence programmer, counter, and ancillary control devices such asdepicted in FIG. 7.

Directional accuracy determining and indicating means for verticaltargers is to be construed as any means functional in providing anumerical representation based on which discrete zone of a plurality oftarget zones was hit by a propelled ball. One possible means as hereindisclosed, includes the use of pulsers, counter, vertical targetbaffles, ball receiver with associated ball detection means, andancillary control devices such as depicted in FIG. 7.

Accuracy determining and indicating means for the floor targets asherein disclosed, includes such functionally associated components aspulsers, counter, vertical annulus walls, ball detection means, andancillary control devices such as depicted in FIG. 7.

The target switching means in conjunction with control relay No. l isused as a selection means to either engage or disengage the vertical andfloor targets into or from the control system. The said switching meanscan exist as pushbuttons when the system is not completely automatic.When automatic, said switching means can exist as relay contactscontrolled by a programmer which dictates the golf shot sequencing modeof operation. This means that when balls are being hit toward thevertical target, the floor target will be deactivated and vice versa.

With reference to FlG. 7, which shows the controls set on the verticaltarget mode of operation, it can be discerned that when the ball isdislodged from the golf ball tee 9 the acoustic transducer picks up thesound of impact and transmits the signal to the acoustic controls whichin turn operates to emit an output pulse from terminal 60. Said pulsewill be conveyed to the indicating device or counter to reset it to azero count, and through the contacts of control relay No. l to terminal61 of latch relay No. l to effectuate the closing of its normally opencontacts for conveyance of power therethrough to terminal 62 of the timesequence programmer. Also, said pulse will be conveyed to terminal 63 ofsaid programmer to initiate its operation. After activation, saidprogrammer such as an electromechanical single cycle multi-cam timingprogrammer will immediately emit a pulse from terminal (a) to thecounter to register a momentum factor count of l therein. if the saidball hits the vertical target 19 within 0.250 seconds, the inertiaswitches will operate and power will be conveyed therethrough to providea pulse to terminal 64 of control relay No. 2. This pulse will cause amomentary closure of contacts 65 such that the release coil of saidlatch relay No. l is momentarily energized to return its contacts to theinitial normally open condition for termination of power to saidprogrammer by way of terminal 62. This means that the said programmer isde-activated at a momentum factor score of l and at the end of theprogramed cycle, all output contacts will assume the normally openposition at reset. Now, after the ball hits said target 19 andgravitates into the ball receiver 20, the directional accuracy portionof the score will be provided dependent on which zone of said target washit. If the center zone was hit, light source 31 in conjunction withphoto sensor 32 will operate to send a signal through the contacts ofcontrol relay No. l to activate the photoelectric controls 66 whichprovides one pulse through terminal 67 to said counter to advance it onecount such that the counter will display a final composite score of 2for the golf shot. if instead, the off-center zone was hit, light source36 in conjunction with photo sensor 37 will operate to send a signalthrough the contacts of control relay No. l to cause the photoelectriccontrols 68 to emit a pulse to activate pulser No. I. Said pulsing meansor pulser, such as an electromechanical single cycle multi-camprogrammer timer, will in turn emit two pulses from terminal 69 to saidcounter to advance it two counts such that said counter will display afinal composite score of 3 for the golf shot.

If said ball does not hit said target 19 within 0.250 seconds, saidprogrammer will continue to operate and at 0.250 seconds a second pulsewill be emitted from terminal (b) to the counter. If said ball hits saidtarget within 0.278 seconds, said programmer will be deactivated aspreviously stated, and a momentum factor count of 2 will remainregistered on said counter.

If said ball does not hit said target within 0.278 seconds, saidprogrammer will continue to operate and at 0.278 seconds a third pulsewill be emitted from termianl (c) to advance the counter. If said ballhits said target within 0.312 seconds, said programmer will bede-activated and a momentum factor count of 3 will remain registered onsaid counter.

if said ball does not hit said target within 0.312 seconds, saidprogrammer will continue to operate and at 0312* seconds a fourth pulsewill be emitted from terminal (d) to advance the counter. If said ballhits said target within 0.357 seconds, said programmer will bede-activated and a momentum factor count of4 will remain registered onsaid counter.

If said ball does not hit said target within 0.357 seconds, saidprogrammer will continue to operate and at 0.357 seconds a fifth pulsewill be emitted from terminal (e) to advance the counter. If said ballhits said target within 0.417 seconds, said programmer will bedeactivated and a momentum factor count of 5 will remain registered onsaid counter.

if said ball does not hit said target within 0.4l7 seconds, saidprogrammer will continue to operate and at 0.417 seconds a sixth pulsewill be emitted from terminal (f) to advance the counter. lf said ballhits said target within 0.500 seconds, said programmer will bedeactivated and a momentum factor count of 6 will remain registered onsaid counter.

If said ball does not hit said target within 0.500 seconds, saidprogrammer will continue to operate and at 0.500 seconds a seventh pulsewill be emitted from terminal (g) to advance the counter. lf said ballhits said target within 0.625 seconds, said programmer will bede-activated and a momentum factor count of 7 will remain registered onsaid counter.

lf said ball does not hit said target within 0.625 seconds, saidprogrammer will continue to operate and at 0.625 seconds an eight pulsewill be emitted from termianl (h) to advance the counter. If said ballhits said target within 0.833 seconds, said programmer will bede-activated and a momentum factor count of 8 will remain registered onsaid counter.

if said ball does not hit said target within 0.833 seconds, saidprogrammer will continue to operate and at 0.833 seconds a ninth pulsewill be emitted from terminal (i) to advance the counter. If said ballhits said target within 1.250 seconds, said programmer will bede-activated and a momentum factor count of 9 will remain registered onsaid counter.

if said ball does not hit said target within 1.250 seconds, saidprogrammer will continue to operate and at 1.250 seconds a tenth pulsewill be emitted from terminal (j) to advance the counter. Now, all ballshereonafter whether hitting the target or not will register a momentumfactor count of 10.

It is to be discerned that the above cited momentum factor scores are inall cases concatenated with a direc tional accuracy factor score, suchas previously explained, to provide a composite score for each ball hitfrom said tee 9 toward said vertical target.

lfa ball driven from said tee 9 does not hit said vertical target, theprogrammer will operate to emit one pulse from each terminal from (a)through (j) of said programmer, thus providing ten consecutive pulses tothe counter to register a count of thereupon. After a time delay, suchas 3 seconds, a pulse will be emitted from both terminals (k) and (l) ofsaid programmer. The pulse from terminal (k) will activate pulser No. 2such that three pulses will be emitted from terminal 70 to said counterto advance it three counts to a final composite count of 13. The pulsefrom terminal (1) will operate the release coil of latch relay No. l toreturn its contacts to the normally open condition such that power isterminated to the programmer through terminal 62.

When in the vertical target mode of operation, subsequent operation ofthe apparatus will follow the same cycle of operation such as describedabove for each ball dislodged from said tee 9.

If the floor target is put into operation by the target switching means,control relay No. 1 will operate to switch all of its contacts such asto disengage the vertical target from the circuit and engage the floortarget into the circuit. Now, with the controls set on the floor targetmode of operation, it can be discerned that when a ball is dislodgedfrom said tee 9 the acoustic controls will operate to emit an outputpulse from terminal 60. Said pulse will be conveyed to the counter toreset it to a zero count, and through the contacts of control relay No.l to terminal 71 of latch relay No. 2 to effectuate the closing of itsnormally open contacts for conveyance of power therethrough to terminal72 of the time delay. Also, said pulse will be conveyed to terminal 73of said time delay to initiate its operation, and to terminal 75 oflatch relay No. 3 to return its contacts to the closed condition whenpreviously actuated open. After activation, said time delay such as anelectromechanical single cycle multi-cam timer will emit a pulse fromterminal 74 to activate the pulsing means or pulser No. 2 if the balldislodged from said tee 9 does not enter said floor target within aspecified time. For example, if no ball enters said floor target withinsay 5 seconds, pulser No. 2 will operate to emit three pulses fromterminal 70 to said counter to register a count of 3 therein.

However, if a ball enters the center portion of said floor target withinsaid 5 second time limit, light source 57 in conjunction with photosensor 56 will operate to send a signal through the contacts of controlrelay No. l to activate the photoelectric controls 66 which provides onepulse through terminal 67 to said counter to register an accuracy scoreof l for said golf shot. Meanwhile, since said ball has hit within saidfloor target within said 5 seconds, a pulse will be provided to therelease coil of latch relay No. 2 to cause the return of its contacts tothe normally open condition for termination of power to terminal 72 ofsaid time delay. This essentially means that said time delay isde-activated since no pulse will be emitted from terminal 74 to activatepulser No. 2 after said 5 second time interval. Also, said pulse fromterminal 67 will be conveyed to latch relay No. 3 to open its normallyclosed contacts, thus de-activating photo sensor 54 so that it will notcause operation of photoelectric control 68 when a ball hit into saidcenter zone 46 finally rolls out through opening 51 of said annulus wall44. If instead, the offcenter portion of said target 43 is hit, lightsource 53 in conjunction with photo sensor 54 will operate to send asignal through the contacts of control relay No. 1 to activate thephotoelectric controls 68 to emit a pulse to pulser No. 1. Activation ofsaid pulser will provide two pulses through terminal 69 for conveyanceto said counter to register an accuracy score of 2 for the golf shot.Since the ball has hit within said floor target, pulser No. 2 will bede-activated in the same manner as described above for balls hit withinthe center zone of said target. it is to be noted that power is providedto light sources 31 and 36 when the upright target is in operation, andto light sources 53 and 57 when the floor target is in operation.

It is to be discerned that when the floor target mode of operation is inaffect, subsequent operation of the apparatus will follow the same cycleof operation such as explained above for each ball dislodged from saidtee 9.

Having thusly described the invention, the following is claimed:

1. A golf game apparatus, comprising a golfing lane having a golf balltee disposed at one end from which golf balls are hit, an upright targetdisposed at the opposite end for halting balls propelled from said tee,a floor target disposed forward of said upright target, directionalaccuracy determining and indicating means functionally associated withsaid tee and each of said targets to automatically provide a numericalaccuracy representation for each of said balls propelled toward saidtargets, and ball momentum determining and indicating means functionallyassociated with said tee and said upright target to automaticallyprovide a numerical momentum magnitude representation for each of saidgolf balls propelled toward said upright target with either tee orfairway type golf clubs; said ball momentum magnitude representationbeing dependent solely on ball velocity or on the time required for saidball to travel a predetermined fixed distance.

2. The invention as defined by claim 1, whereby said momentum magnitudeand said directional accuracy representations are further characterizedas being combined to provide a composite score for each of saidpropelled balls.

3. The invention as defined by claim 2, wherein said ball momentumdetermining and indicating means is further characterized as includingtime sequence signal producing means functional in providingintermittent signals.

4. The invention as defined by claim 3, wherein said ball momentumdetermining and indicating means is further characterized as includingan indicating device interconnected to receive said intermittent signalsfor effectuating the display of a numerical representation thereupon.

5. The invention as defined by claim 4, wherein said ball momentumdetermining and indicating means is further characterized as includingsensing means disposed with respect to said tee and operative ininitiating said time sequence signal producing means to emit a signalwhen a ball is dislodged from said tee.

6. The invention as defined by claim 5, wherein said ball momentumdetermining and indicating means is further characterized as includingsensing means disposed with respect to said target and operative interminating the signal emission of said time sequence signal producingmeans when said ball hits said target.

7. The invention as defined by claim 6, wherein said directionalaccuracy determining and indicating means is further characterized asincluding pulsing means interconnected such as to provide a presetnumber of pulses to said indicating device for effectuating the displayof a numerical representation thereupon.

8. The invention as defined by claim 7, wherein said directionalaccuracy determining and indicating means is further characterized asincluding upright baffles mounted upon said upright target such as toseparate it into discrete zones.

9. The invention as defined by claim 8, wherein said directionalaccuracy determining and indicating means is further characterized asincluding a ball receiver disposed adjacent to said upright target.

10. The invention as defined by claim 9, wherein said directionalaccuracy determining and indicating means is further characterized asincluding ball detection means disposed with respect to said ballreceiver and said floor target for classifying balls propelledtherewithin.

11. The invention as defined by claim 10, wherein said indicating deviceis further characterized as a counter.

12. The invention as defined by calim 11, wherein said sensing means forinitiating the operation of said time sequence signal producing means isfurther characterized as an acoustic sensing unit, and said sensingmeans operative in terminating the signal emission of said time sequencesignal producing means is further characterized as one or more inertiaswitches.

13. The invention as defined by claim 12, further characterized asincluding ball confining means surrounding said golfing lane forcontaining therewithin, balls propelled from said tee to said targets.

14. The invention as defined by claim 13, further characterized ascomprising a plurality of said golfing lane combinations adjacentlyplaced such that each will include confining means therebetween forpreventing ball cross-fire into adjacent targets.

15. The invention as defined by calim 14, wherein each of said floortargets are further characterized as including upright annulus wallstherewithin for establishing center and off-center zones.

16. The invention as defined by claim 15, wherein each of said floortargets are further characterized as including ball detection meanscooperatively associated with each of-said floor targets for providingclassifying information as to which zones of said targets were hit.

17. The invention as defined by claim 16, wherein said center andoff-center zones of said floor targets are further characterized ascontaining cushions functional as damping means for preventing ballspropelled into said targets from rebounding out.

1. A golf game apparatus, comprising a golfing lane having a golf balltee disposed at one end from which golf balls are hit, an upright targetdisposed at the opposite end for halting balls propelled from said tee,a floor target disposed forward of said upright target, directionalaccuracy determining and indicating means functionally associated withsaid tee and each of said targets to automatically provide a numericalaccuracy representation for each of said balls propelled toward saidtargets, and ball momentum determining and indicating means functionallyassociated with said tee and said upright target to automaticallyprovide a numerical momentum magnitude representation for each of saidgolf balls propelled toward said upright target with either tee orfairway type golf clubs; said ball momentum magnitude representationbeing dependent solely on ball velocity or on the time required for saidball to travel a predetermined fixed distance.
 2. The invention asdefined by claim 1, whereby said momentum magnitude and said directionalaccuracy representations are further characterized as being combined toprovide a composite score for each of said propelled balls.
 3. Theinvention as defined by claim 2, wherein said ball momentum determiningand indicating means is further characterized as including time sequencesignal producing means functional in providing intermittent signals. 4.The invention as defined by claim 3, wherein said ball momentumdetermining and indicating means is further characterized as includingan indicating device interconnected to receive said intermittent signalsfor effectuating the display of a numerical representation thereupon. 5.The invention as defined by claim 4, wherein said ball momentumdetermining and indicating means is further characterized as includingsensing means disposed with respect to said tee and operative ininitiating said time sequence signal producing means to emit a signalwhen a ball is dislodged from said tee.
 6. The invention as defined byclaim 5, wherein said ball momentum determining and indicating means isfurther characterized as including sensing means disposed with respectto said target and operative in terminating the signal emission of saidtime sequence signal producing means when said ball hits said target. 7.The invention as defined by claim 6, wherein said directional accuracydetermining and indicating means is further characterized as includingpulsing means interconnected such as to provide a preset number ofpulses to said indicating device for effectuating the display of anumerical representation thereupon.
 8. The invention as defined by claim7, wherein said directional accuracy determining and indicating means isfurther characterized as including upright baffles mounted upon saidupright target such as to separate it into discrete zones.
 9. Theinvention as defined by claim 8, wherein said directional accuracydetermining and indicating means is further characterized as including aball receiver disposed adjacent to said upright target.
 10. Theinvention as defined by claim 9, wherein said directional accuracydetermining and indicating means is further characterized as includingball detection means disposed with respect to said ball receiver andsaid floor target for classifying balls propelled therewithin.
 11. Theinvention as defined by claim 10, wherein said indicating device isfurther characterized as a counter.
 12. The invention as defined bycalim 11, wherein said sensing means for initiating the operation ofsaid time sequence signal producing means is further characterized as anacoustic sensing unit, and said sensing means operative in terminatingthe signal emission of said time sequence signal producing means isfurther characterized as one or more inertia switches.
 13. The inventionas defined by claim 12, further characterized as including ballconfining means surrounding said golfing lane for containingtherewithin, balls propelled from said tee to said targets.
 14. Theinvention as defined by claim 13, further characterized as comprising aplurality of said golfing lane combinations adjacently placed such thateach will include confining means therebetween for preventing ballcross-fIre into adjacent targets.
 15. The invention as defined by calim14, wherein each of said floor targets are further characterized asincluding upright annulus walls therewithin for establishing center andoff-center zones.
 16. The invention as defined by claim 15, wherein eachof said floor targets are further characterized as including balldetection means cooperatively associated with each of said floor targetsfor providing classifying information as to which zones of said targetswere hit.
 17. The invention as defined by claim 16, wherein said centerand off-center zones of said floor targets are further characterized ascontaining cushions functional as damping means for preventing ballspropelled into said targets from rebounding out.